When Akram* was eight years old, his father was kidnapped from his workplace in a government-affiliated factory in Homs, Syria. Seven of his colleagues were also arrested.

The family was never given information about Akram’s father’s whereabouts or condition. When Akram’s mother tried to find out what happened to him, the police did not provide any information, only gave her pictures of mutilated bodies to look at and identify him. Akram’s father wasn’t among them.

Akram’s mother thought that her husband might have been taken to another region where a lot of people were rumored to have been killed.

A young boy, Akram was deeply affected when his father disappeared.”

In 2013, the family fled to Jordan. A young boy, Akram was deeply affected when his father disappeared. As a result of his father’s disappearance and the war violence to which he was exposed, Akram acted out and was often withdrawn and isolated. He had nightmares, trouble sleeping and would wake up screaming and crying. He also developed a stutter when he spoke.

Akram’s mother brought him to CVT Jordan, where he received rehabilitative care to help with his symptoms. However, the family was never able to mourn or honor Akram’s father, and the ongoing uncertainty remained a heavy burden for all of them to carry.

*Name and some details have been changed for safety and to protect confidentiality.
Photo credit: Dreamstime

Funding for CVT’s work in Jordan is provided by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration and the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.